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Peterborough Lido welcomes summer solstice swimmers

Ben Stevenson/BBC Peterborough LidoBen Stevenson/BBC
About 200 swimmers arrived at Peterborough Lido for the summer solstice swim at 04:00 BST on Wednesday

Dozens of hardy swimmers have marked the summer solstice with a first light dip in a city lido.

Almost 200 bathers pre-booked and queued for a swim at Peterborough Lido from 04:00 BST.

David Godfrey, chair of the Friends of Peterborough Lido group, said he has been coming to the pool for almost 70 years, since the age of six.

"This has been the most successful solstice swim since we started them three or four years ago," he said.

"It's so great to see so many happy faces in the morning."

Ben Stevenson/BBC Peterborough LidoBen Stevenson/BBC
The Grade II listed building at Peterborough Lido is 87 years old

The summer solstice falls on 21 June and is the longest day of the year.

Peterborough Lido, which also has a Grade II listed building and art deco design, opened in 1936 and is heated.

Ben Stevenson/BBC Peterborough LidoBen Stevenson/BBC
The sun begins to rise over Peterborough Lido on the longest day of the year

Vice chair Clare Marshall said she has swum at the lido for more than 50 years.

"I came here with my siblings as a child, and learned to swim here and I have lots of happy memories," she said.

"When you come here early in the morning, even when it's cloudy, you come through the gates and everything changes. It's like an oasis in the middle of the city.

"In the summer, this place brings people from all different communities together with a common love of swimming, and from all over the country."

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